Frequently Asked QUESTIONS

Where is the negotiation process at?

We are currently connecting with iwi about the aspirations they have for our Maunga.

How does the negotiation team make sure hapu, marae and uri are informed and engaged in the process?

We have been meeting extensively with whanau across the entire Taranaki rohe over the past few months and have a number of hui-a-rode scheduled over the coming months around the country so that whanau who live outside of Taranaki also have the opportunity to be involved, updated, and have their say.

We also send out regular monthly pānui directly to uri via email, or to the eight entities to pass on to those who are registered with them.

We have also created website and a Facebook page where we share pānui, details of upcoming wānanga and hui, and we’ve created some amazing videos to share that provide uri with the opportunity to talk about what our maunga means for them.

How were our team of negotiators chosen?

The Taranaki Iwi Chairs forum made the recommendation on behalf of our eight iwi regarding who the negotiation team members will be. It was important to the Taranaki Iwi Chairs Forum that the team members needed the right skills, and the ability to represent Ngā Iwi o Taranaki.

Are iwi able to withdraw if they no longer want to be a part of this settlement process?

All iwi have their own Mana Motuhake and the right to withdraw from the process. If that should happen, the team will work through a process so that settlement can continue.

Does the proposed timeline allow for a period of healing?

We acknowledge there is a settlement process, but equally important there is a healing process that iwi will go through. Part of the healing process is reconnection and whilst we see this process as separate, we acknowledge the connection and are now looking at ways to make sure the healing can take place.

What are the next steps?

The priority over the coming months is to ensure uri have the opportunity to be on this journey with us. We have scheduled a number of kanohi ki te kanohi hui around the country and set up an email address so that whanau can send us directly any feedback they might have.

We will also continue to talk to the Crown about our aspirations and work hard in negotiations to achieve the best possible settlement for Taranaki Maunga

What redress is being sought?

We are seeking an apology and cultural redress, in relation to the historical claims that relate to Taranaki Maunga. The claim does not include any financial or commercial redress. For more information read here.

How will I benefit from the settlement?

The settlement will acknowledge that Taranaki is our Ancestor, and provide for our uri to become more culturally connected to our Maunga, involved in the management, protection and care of the Maunga, and ensure a sustainable ‘Whole of Mountain’ strategy is adopted.

How can I find out more information?

Ngā Iwi o Taranaki is committed to communications with all our whānau, hapu and iwi and want to make sure that you are on this journey with us.

Hui-a-iwi will be held throughout the rohe, notifications will be posted regularly to our website, and on the various iwi Facebook pages that you belong to. We will also be sending out monthly panui to all those who have registered with their iwi and have their details up to date. If you need to register you and your whānau, visit your iwi website by following this link here.

What does the current management regime look like regarding our Maunga?

The National Park Framework is made up of the National Parks Act 1980 and the hierarchy of policy and planning documents it creates. Both the National Parks Act and the General Policy for National Parks apply nationally. All Conservation Management Strategies and National Park Plans must (in effect) be consistent with the General Policy for National Parks.

In addition to the legislation (The Act) and its supporting policies and plans, the National Park Framework has a series of decision makers/decision making bodies. There are three key decision makers being, the Minister for Conservation, the New Zealand Conservation Authority and the regional Conservation Board.

National Parks Act 1980

This is the key piece of legislation covering National Parks in New Zealand. The purpose of the Act is to preserve in perpetuity “areas of New Zealand that contain scenery of such distinctive quality, ecological systems, or natural features so beautiful, unique, or scientifically important that their preservation is in the national interest”. The key underlying ideas or principles are: National interest, Preservation, Perpetuity and Public access.

General Policy for National Parks

The purpose of General Policy for National Parks is to provide direction and guidance on governance and management of national parks. The first General Policy was issued in 1983. It was replaced in 2005 by the current General Policy.

Direction means just that – there are policies that say “x will be done” and there is no room for decision makers (including a Minister) to do otherwise. Mostly however the policies give guidance.

The key idea underpinning General Policy for National Parks is integrated conservation management – guidance on how to coordinate management of places to meet the requirements of all the relevant legislation. The General Policy Implements the National Parks Act and can’t detract from it.

The General Policy has specific policies on a wide range of matters – e.g. how Treaty of Waitangi responsibilities should be met, including customary use of materials and native species.

The Department of Conservation prepares the policy in consultation with the New Zealand Conservation Authority (The NZCA). The NZCA approves it. Public submissions are welcomed, including via hui specifically to get iwi views. The Minister for Conservation has an opportunity to comment on it and the NZCA must have regard to the Minister’s views. (Compare to conservation general policy, approved by Minister – high degree of control given to NZCA)

Conservation Management Strategy

A Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) is created for every Department of Conservation operational region. A CMS is prepared by the Department of Conservation in consultation with the relevant Conservation Board – Taranaki/Whanganui in the case of Taranaki Maunga and the surrounding currently named Egmont National Park.. The CMS is approved by NZCA, however, the Minister can make recommendations to the NZCA, which must have regard to them.

The purpose of the CMS is to implement general policies (GPNP for national parks, Conservation General Policy for other places) and set objectives for integrated conservation management. It covers particular places, their values, management of natural heritage, recreation values and how they will be managed – including objectives for the management of national parks.

The CMS covers a region, including any national parks within it and has a 10-year lifespan – but remains in effect until replaced. The Egmont National Park is covered by the CMS for the Whanganui Conservancy – as it then was. The CMS was issued in 1997, it had a proposed review date of 2007. The Department of Conservation is yet to produce a new CMS covering the maunga/park. That work was postponed to allow for the completion of Treaty settlements in the region.

National Parks Management Plan

A National Park management Plan is created for each National Park. This is the guiding document for managing the park – it sets out goals and what will and won’t be done to achieve them. The plan is prepared by DOC in consultation with the Conservation Board, subject to public consultation, then recommended by Board to the NZCA, which has final approval. The Minister for Conservation has the opportunity to give views, which the NZCA must have regard to.

The Egmont National Park Management Plan is out of date (2002-12). Like the Conservation Management Strategy for Whanganui-Taranaki, it was decided best not to revise it until claims covering the maunga/park are settled, to avoid unnecessary work and duplication.

What activities and opportunities are available for whanau to reconnect us to our Taranaki identity through this process?

The Negotiation Team works to support the eight iwi of Taranaki in their efforts to connect with those they represent. Presently, iwi are looking at ways in which they can encourage whanau to come home and participate in regular hui and wānanga held at their marae. It’s important to get in touch with your iwi to find out what’s happening.

Will our sites of significance be renamed and restored to their original names?

Yes, we hope to restore names that were used originally to the many sites of significance on our maunga. We are currently seeking input from iwi on which sites, and what names would be best. We have also advised the Crown that the name “Egmont National Park” does not resonate with Ngā Uri o Taranaki and that there is a need to work on a better option.

Is consideration being given to the natural resources in and under the maunga, like water?

We have had initial discussions with the Crown about a whole of Maunga Strategy which should cover matters such as Natural Resources and water. We are yet to discuss these matters in any detail but will do so as we work through negotiations.